The procedures for advancement in summer camp are established by the council advancement committee in cooperation with the committee responsible for summer camp, the camp director, and the program director. These procedures must be approved by the council advancement committee prior to the opening of camp. This procedure must include the four processes of advancement -- learning, testing, reviewing, and recognition.

The camp program director will organize program staff, specialists, commissioners, and department heads in such a way that the program in camp is completely operative from the beginning of the camp season. These procedures should be given to each troop as part of pre-camp orientation.

The program director is responsible for assuring that all program equipment relating to advancement is available for use.

Camp merit badge counselors must be qualified (see "Qualifications of Counselors", page 13). Camp staff members who are qualified in the subject and are younger than age 18 may assist the merit badge counselor with instruction. The merit badge counselor or instructor in a particular subject should be available to both individuals and groups.

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Revised in 2007 Printing

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However, regardless of the class format, each Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badge's requirements.

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Because of the need for continued practice in some subjects, it will be necessary to meet candidates at a certain time each day. For other subjects, it may be necessary to meet as a group once or twice during the week.

Each counselor must maintain the exact standards as outlined in the merit badge requirements -- nothing deleted, nothing added -- and make himself or herself available at the time most convenient to the Scouts. Partial completion of merit badges should be credited to a Scout on the Application for Merit Badge and given to the Scoutmaster at the end of the week.

Group Instruction of Merit Badges

The question arises as to whether it is permissible to have Scouts earn merit badges in groups...In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements.

Advancement for Scouts with Disabilities

Advancement for Boy Scouts with Disabilities - All current requirements for an advancement award (ranks, merit badges, or Eagle Palms) must actually be met by the candidate. There are no substitutions or alternatives permitted except those which are specifically stated in the requirements...